Mould and asbestos tend to hog the media spotlight when it comes to indoor air quality, but a third deadly indoor air pollutant is even more difficult for homeowners to detect and is impossible to see.
Radon is an invisible, odourless, radioactive gas that is found in outside air. It’s a byproduct of uranium that’s constantly breaking down in soil, the levels of which differ across the country. Some areas of Ontario and Nova Scotia have the highest concentrations of soil-based uranium in Canada. While radon does exist in the outdoor environment, these tiny amounts are relatively harmless. However, when radon creeps up into homes through cracks or holes in foundation and openings for water wells, it becomes trapped in the smaller space and can build up to dangerous levels.
Radon is a major cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, but the majority of radon-related lung cancer deaths occur in smokers. The inhalation of the radioactive radon particles is what causes lung cancer, and radon testing is the only way to determine the level of radon within a home or building.
The Ontario Lung Association recommends having your home tested for radon to see if your family is at risk. Health Canada considers 200 Bq/m3 the acceptable cut-off rate for radon levels within a home. If it’s above this level, steps should be taken to seal off any cracks or openings where radon may be able to get into a home, as well as increasing the ventilation in these areas.
The lower the amount of radon, the lower the risk to your health. Because of this, Health Canada still recommends reducing the radon level if the level found in a home is less than 200 Bq/m3 .
Should you suspect the presence of radon in your home or place of work, contact Environmental Services Group for a friendly and pressure-free phone or on-site consultation at (416) 575.6111 . We can help.
Radon Testing in Toronto, Acton, Ajax, Barrie, Brampton, Brantford, Cambridge, Etobicoke, Georgetown, Halton Hills, Kitchener, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, North York, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Peel Region, Scarborough, Thornhill, Vaughan, Waterloo, Whitby, York Region Ontario.
